Disclaimer: All HP characters don't belong to me. Some sentences are quoted from "Fred and Edie" by Jill Dawson and the movie "Another Life"

To BeaumontRulz, my Beta Reader!

Author's Note: Be patient, my readers, I'm half done with my project…

Thank you all for your reviews!

Esmerald Tears: Err…

J.E.A.R.K Potter, Debbie Doll: Wait until you read the last part of this chapter!

Jayu: The credit goes to my Beta Reader:)

Harryswoman: She has no choice.

Chapter 7: The Abortion

Months ago

Hermione was glad that Harry came back from Ireland, but at the same time, she was worried and stressful, for she had an awful piece of news for him. She wished that she could keep it as a secret forever but she figured that everyone would find out eventually.

Harry and Hermione were sitting together on a bench at a park during Hermione's lunch break. Both of them were empty-handed.

"Harry…" started Hermione.

"Hm?"

"I'm, um…." suddenly Hermione's last word was inaudible.

Harry looked at her. "What?"

"I'm expecting. A baby, Harry," said Hermione slowly.

For a moment, Harry just stared at her. Then he asked, "Whose is it?"

Silence.

"Yours."

Harry buried his face in his hands.

"What do you want me to do, Harry?"

Harry lifted his face up. "You will get a divorce and we will just get out of here."

"I can't, Harry," said Hermione immediately.

"Why not?" asked Harry.

"It's… too rush. I can't suddenly just march to the Weasleys and say 'Everyone, I'm getting a divorce, because I don't love Ron anymore and I'm leaving with Harry.'"

Harry opened his mouth to speak.

"And there's my family, my reputation, how can I face up to my parents…" started Hermione.

Harry got up and glared at Hermione. "Oh that's what you care about? Your reputation?" he demanded angrily. "My reputation is greater than yours, Hermione. I'm the Boy Who Lived, the Chosen One, the one who defeated Lord Voldemort, and do I care about ruining it? No! If I care about it, I wouldn't go and love a married woman!"

Hermione got up as well. "Harry, Harry! I'm so sorry, I didn't mean anything, I mean, if I get a divorce right now, Ron will probably know why right away and he will go for the Daily Prophet! We will be ruined, pestered by the public everyday for our affair. I don't want that to happen to us!"

Harry went quiet, but he was still trying to breathe steadily. Then he asked, "What are you going to do then?"

Hermione looked down and whispered, "Abortion."

Silence.

"Is there no other way?" asked Harry quietly.

"As far as I know, no." said Hermione. "We can't keep it, it would be too obvious."

Harry closed his eyes and sighed sadly. He reached down and rested his hand gently on Hermione's stomach. "Can't imagine that we would be killing our baby."

Hermione placed her hand over Harry's. "I didn't want to either." she whispered.

Harry and Hermione went to a small private wizarding hospital after Hermione's work (she lied to the Weasleys that she would be working overnight at the bookshop). Now they were both sitting at the reception area. Hermione's hands were cold and trembling. Harry held them gently in support.

Hermione kept on looking down at her abdomen. She had a life growing inside her and she was going to take it away. For quite a few times, she felt like backing out of the operation but her legs felt like jelly beneath her and she couldn't go anywhere.

"Ms Hermione Granger," called the nurse at the counter.

Hermione remained in her seat.

"Hermione?" asked Harry.

Hermione slowly got up and Harry led her to the counter.

"A Healer will be attended to you shortly. Go to the operation theatre 2," said the nurse without looking up.

Hermione looked at Harry sadly and Harry kissed her forehead gently. "Be brave."

Hermione sat on the bed, her fists clenched tightly with fear and nervousness.

The Healer looked at her clipboard for a while before she put it away. "Now Ms Granger, are you sure you want to abort your baby?"

Hermione was dying to say no, but she nodded her head instead.

"There's a way to keep it…" started the Healer.

"Just do it, please," interrupted Hermione.

"Don't you want to hear my suggestion?" asked the Healer.

"No. I'm not keeping it no matter what you say." added Hermione.

The Healer sighed. "Very well." She turned and opened her cabinet. She then took out one small bottle of red potion.

"Here. Drink this," she ordered, handing Hermione the bottle.

"What is it?" asked Hermione, eyeing the bottle suspiciously.

"Something like muggles' anaesthetic and sleeping drug. Just drink it. You will fall into a deep sleep and the operation will be long over by the time you wake up."

Hermione stared at the potion for a while before she drank it unwillingly. She handed the bottle back to the Healer and lay down on the bed. The potion took effect immediately and soon, Hermione was yawning. She then closed her eyes and fell asleep.

"Hermione? Hermione?" asked a voice anxiously.

Hermione opened her eyes weakly. Then she closed them again.

"Hermione!"

Hermione tried to open her eyes again. This time she succeeded in keeping them open. She looked around and found Harry holding her hand gently. The Healer was looking at them with her clipboard in her hands.

"Hermione, are you okay?" asked Harry softly.

Hermione nodded slowly. "How was the operation?"

"I hate to say that it was a success," said the Healer dryly.

Hermione didn't respond.

"By the way, um," said the Healer after she had taken a glance at her clipboard. "Just want to let you two know…"

Harry and Hermione looked at her.

Silence.

"… it was a girl," said the Healer finally.

Hermione closed her eyes and turned her face away from Harry and the Healer.

"Magical operations are easier then muggles' operations, so the patients' recovery are much faster. You are fine now, so you are free to go whenever you like," said the Healer.

"Thank you, Healer," said Harry politely and the Healer left.

"Hermione?" asked Harry in concern.

Hermione opened her eyes and turned. She sat up and stared at Harry for a while before she broke down and started to cry. Blinking furiously, Harry pulled her to his arms and hugged her tightly. The couple just sat together in silence, mourning over their unborn daughter's death.

Harry and Hermione stayed awake overnight at the private hospital, and when it was morning, Hermione went back to The Burrow, fearing that the Weasleys would be looking for her if she stayed outside any longer.

Hermione stepped into the kitchen and found the Weasleys having breakfast.

"Morning, Hermione," greeted the Weasleys, except Ron, who was more interested in his porridge than her.

Ginny elbowed her sixth brother on the ribs.

"Ouch! What…" asked Ron in annoyance.

Ginny glanced at Hermione.

"Oh yeah, morning, Hermione," said Ron, sounding rather bored.

Mrs Weasley rolled her eyes before she said, "Want some breakfast, Hermione dear?"

Hermione shook her head tiredly. "No, thanks. I need some rest, I um, didn't sleep yesterday, too much work."

"Oh my, you do look terrible, you better get to bed," suggested Mr Weasley kindly.

Hermione nodded and walked upstairs.

"She looks like hell," she could hear Ron commenting.

"Ron!" said Mrs Weasley sharply.

"What? That's the truth," said Ron.

Hermione just continued her way upstairs. Once she got into her bedroom, she lay down on the bed and fell asleep.

Hermione saw a little girl walking on the field, which was dotted with pretty yellow flowers. The girl was wearing a little white dress, which fits her perfectly.

She bended down and picked up a few flowers. She smelled them and smiled. Then she ran towards Hermione and offered her the flowers.

Hermione squatted down, so that her eyes were at the same level as the girl. "For me?"

The girl nodded and smiled, like an angel.

Hermione took the flowers and touched the girl's cheek. She looked at the girl carefully. The girl had wavy raven-black hair, like Harry's and was decorated with a crown of yellow flowers. Her eyes were brown, like Hermione's. She looked as innocent and beautiful as can be.

Hermione blinked away the tears that were forming in her eyes and ran her fingers through the girl's black hair lovingly. She then hugged the girl with affection.

It was a while before Hermione released her. But as she did, the girl just smiled and faded away into nothingness.

Hermione gasped and got up. She looked around at the field and discovered that she was all alone…

Hermione's eyes snapped open and she sat up immediately. Gasping for breath, Hermione looked around. She was in hers and Ron's bedroom. The window was still open, showing Hermione that it was still daytime.

Hermione ran a trembling hand through her hair before she lay back on her bed. She thought back about the dream she had. The girl… she must be hers and Harry's daughter. If she had lived, she could look just like that in Hermione's dream, beautiful and innocent…

Sadly, Hermione curled herself up and pulled the blanket up to her chin. A few moments later, she started to cry. She had killed her own flesh and blood.

"Oh I'm so sorry, Mummy didn't mean to…" said Hermione quietly as she sobbed. "Please forgive me…"

Present

"Where the hell did you get that from?" yelled Harry, bringing Hermione back into reality.

Hermione realised that she was still in the court with Harry, under the charge of murder. She looked up at the Minister, who was holding a piece of certificate. Birth certificate, to be exact.

"What have you done to William!" demanded Harry.

"We didn't do anything to him," said the Minister calmly.

"You have taken him away, haven't you, admit it!" said Harry hysterically.

"I have no idea where you two have placed him," said the Minister in the same tone before turning to Hermione. "Mrs Weasley, we have searched your house earlier, not only we have found those scandalous letters, we have found this as well," he said, waving the certificate.

"It's a birth certificate of a certain baby named William Potter. And his parents are the defendants."

Hermione's eyes widened in fear. She couldn't believe that they had found that certificate as well. She had hidden it in her drawer, under the pile of stationary.

The people in the court were whispering once again.

Hermione felt dizzy again. She was willing to let the Ministry to dig up anything about her, but not this. She didn't want anyone except Harry to find out about William, their second child, who managed to escape the fate of abortion and come into this world, alive.

"No, please don't drag him into this…" said Hermione in a whisper before she collapsed and fainted in court again.